1. The Things They Carried
By Tim O’Brien

2. “The Things They Carried”
Lt. Jimmy Cross carries his love for Martha and the responsibility for his men – a conflict
Commentary on the Vietnam War - "By daylight they took sniper fire, at night they were mortared, but it was not battle, it was just the endless march, village to village, without purpose, nothing won or lost.” – as a Vet. what is O’Brien saying about this war?
Defenses – Language & Jokes – “greased,” “offed,” “zapped while zipping”
Literary Devices -

3. Characters Lt. Jimmy Cross Rat Kiley Ted Lavender Kiowa Henry Dobbins
Norman Bowker
Tim O’Brien
Mitchel Sanders

4. Tim O’Brien

5. May 2010

6. In Class Essay Plan ahead – outline due tomorrow
Have a clear thesis statement
Use two quotations from the novel that will support your thesis
Use organization (introduction, body, conclusion)

7. Thesis Statement
Have a focused sentence that answers one of the questions

8. Quotations Choose 2 to use! Always lead in to quotations
I.e.: O’Brien explains to his reader that “a true war story is never moral” (46).

9. Question 1- claim that this theme is the most important
Bravery
“On the Rainy River” – I was a coward, I went to war (talk about the differences between being a coward and bravery to O”Brien)
“The Dentist”- Needing to prove he is brave
Responsibility
“The Things They Carried” (Cross’ responsibility for his men
“In the Field” (Discussion of requiring blame)

10. Question 1- claim that this theme is the most important
War & Love
“Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong” – Mary Anne Bell and Mark Fosse
“How to Tell a True War Story” – Sister who never writes back
“The Lives of the Dead” – Love of Linda
Figurative vs. Literal Weight
“The Things They Carried”

11. Question 2: Guilt
Thesis: Guilt causes the men in The Things They Carried to….
Cross’ guilt over Lavender’s death
O’Brien’s guilt in “The Man I Killed”
Enemies/Friends
Guilt they all feel over loss of Kiowa

12. Question 3: Change Opinion?
Trace your observations of O’Brien from start to finish…
What was your initial feeling about O’Brien (“On the Rainy River”)?
Did it change during “The Man I Killed”?
How did it end during “Field Trip” and “Ghost Soldiers”?

13. Question 4: Storytelling
Use “Spin,” “How to Tell a True War Story,” and “The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong” to get notes on what a true war story is.